Realtime control solution combines CompactPCI with graphical programming language.
July 2000
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Westplex
National Instruments now offers a new CompactPCI realtime control solution based on LabVIEW RT, the company's easy-to-use graphicalprogramming environment for development and deployment of embedded, realtime applications.
With LabVIEW RT, control systems engineers and systems integrators can now develop their realtime monitoring and control, high-speed data acquisition, process control and discrete control applications on a standard Windows PC. Then, they simply evoke a pull-down menu command that downloads their applications across an Ethernet network to run deterministically and reliably on a PXI/CompactPCI embedded controller.
Once downloaded to the PXI/CompactPCI embedded controller, LabVIEW RT applications access analog and digital I/O through National Instruments' data acquisition and signal conditioning modules plugged into the system chassis. This allows systems engineers and integrators to easily address their most demanding manufacturing and process control applications with a modular, industrially hardened platform that offers a wide variety of high-performance PXI/CompactPCI I/O modules; distributed, realtime execution; and headless operation. Human-machine interface (HMI), datalogging, analysis and supervisory control applications developed using LabVIEW RT or BridgeVIEW (LabVIEW for industrial automation) remotely handle communication and control of embedded LabVIEW RT applications across Ethernet.
National Instruments new compactPCI realtime control system is based on LabVIEW RT, the company's easy-to-use graphical programming environment for development and deployment of embedded realtime applications. With LabVIEW RT, control systems enginneers and systems intergrators can now develop their realtime monitoring and control aplications on a standard Windows PC, evoke a pull-down menu command and instantly download their applications across and Ethernet network to run deterministically on the CompactPCI embedded controller.
"With LabVIEW RT, systems engineers and integrators build realtime measurement and automation applications using industry-standard development tools. Now, they can target those applications to a PXI embedded controller or an RT series plug-in data acquisition board for PCI and PXI/CompactPCI," said Norma Dorst, National Instruments Realtime and Embedded Marketing Manager. "And there is more to come. National Instruments will continue to introduce scalable hardware platforms for LabVIEW RT and look to other technologies such as Windows CE and Windows NT embedded for embedded and portable measurement and automation solutions."
The PXI/CompactPCI controller designed for LabVIEW RT uses the same National Instruments computer technology used today in PXI/CompactPCI systems. Therefore, current PXI/CompactPCI system users can transform their existing Windows-based PXI/CompactPCI computer into a realtime embedded controller and achieve reliable, deterministic system performance with a LabVIEW RT upgrade. An embedded PXI/CompactPCI controller preinstalled with the LabVIEW RT realtime engine is also available.
For nearly 15 years, National Instruments has developed LabVIEW as an easy-to-use, reliable software package for creating computer-based measurement and automation solutions. Today, LabVIEW is an industry-standard graphical programming package used by thousands of engineers and scientists worldwide. Now, through LabVIEW RT, National Instruments is extending the simplicity of LabVIEW graphical programming for widespread development and deployment of realtime applications without requiring in-depth knowledge of realtime techniques or nonstandard computer systems.
Further reading:
How the DCS can step off the hardware obsolescence treadmill
Schneider Electric South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Ageing servers and unsupported operating systems are quietly eroding the stability of process plants that rely on distributed control systems. Kobus Vermeulen of Schneider Electric explains how virtualising the DCS environment can break the hardware obsolescence cycle without disrupting operations.
Read more...
Centralised control rooms where growth is elastic, not physical
Schneider Electric South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Modernised control rooms feature distributed control system architecture consolidated into centralised compute environments. replacing traditional PCs with thin clients.
Read more...
Advanced DCSs preserve what must not change while enabling
Schneider Electric South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Next-generation DCSs, such as Schneider Electric’s Foxboro, are preserving the best of the old while introducing the new in a less disruptive manner.
Read more...
Siemens launches new generation of logic controller
Siemens South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Siemens has launched the latest generation of its proven intelligent logic controller, LOGO! 9. This enables simple implementation of small automation projects.
Read more...
DCS for maximum plant efficiency and reliability
ABB South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
ABB has introduced SPR2025, the latest Symphony Plus DCS package release to enable modernisation and efficient performance for the process and power industries.
Read more...
Future-proof automation
Vepac Electronics
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
The highly adaptable SALZ control system consists of open hardware, modular engineering software based on a virtualisation concept and an integrated app store.
Read more...
Robust PLC for field applications
ifm - South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
ifm is a leading suppliers of robust control systems for mobile use. Its ecomat series comprises PLCs, I/O modules and sensors that can withstand the harsh environmental influences of mobile applications.
Read more...
ABB’s new flagship DCS
ABB South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
ABB has launched the latest version of its flagship distributed control system, to help industrial operators modernise without disruption and accelerate their path toward next generation automation.
Read more...
Adroit Technologies drives global SCADA for Iochpe-Maxion
Adroit Technologies
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Adroit Technologies has been appointed by Iochpe-Maxion, parent company of one of the world’s largest wheel manufacturers and producers of structural components in the Americas, as its global SCADA partner. The partnership will standardise operational visibility, reliability and control across 34 manufacturing facilities worldwide.
Read more...
Extended DCS enables industrial innovation with continuity
ABB South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
ABB has introduced its Automation Extended programme, a strategic evolution of its distributed control systems (DCS), designed to help industries modernise without disruption.
Read more...
printer friendly version